Item 10 - Agreements with Orange County Therapeutic Arts Center, Working Wardrobes

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Community Development Agency www.santa-ana.org/cd Item # 10 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report July 1, 2025 TOPIC: Youth Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Agreements AGENDA TITLE Agreements with Orange County Therapeutic Arts Center, Working Wardrobes for a New Start, and StandUp for Kids Orange County to Provide Workforce Readiness Preparation, Work Experience, and Career Training Programs to Santa Ana Youth RECOMMENDED ACTION 1. Approve an agreement in an amount not to exceed $250,000 with Orange County Therapeutic Arts Center, for a period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX). 2. Approve an agreement in an amount not to exceed $200,000 with Working Wardrobes for a New Start, for a period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX). 3. Approve an agreement in an amount not to exceed $200,000 with StandUp for Kids Orange County, for a period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (Agreement No. A- 2025-XXX). GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes DISCUSSION The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed into law on July 22, 2014, is a federal legislation designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and supportive services to succeed in the labor market, and to help employers find and retain skilled workers. WIOA modernized and streamlined the nation's workforce development system, replacing the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. A key priority of WIOA is serving youth and young adults, particularly those facing significant barriers to employment. WIOA requires that at least 75% of local youth funds be spent on out-of-school youth ages 16-24 and mandates that at least 20% of youth funds support paid work experience. WIOA also establishes 14 required program elements that youth providers must offer to promote educational achievement, career readiness, and long-term self-sufficiency.